25.2.16

Sacré Coeur - from the outside only...


I realized that, after a few years of blogging, I have not made a real reference post about the Sacré Coeur Basilica. Well, one reason is of course that it’s the only Catholic Church in Paris where photos of the inside are not allowed. (The reason seems to be that the church is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which puts it on another sacred scale than the churches devoted to just “normal” saints etc…)

You may today be a bit perplexed when you learn that the official reason for building the church was to “expiate the crimes of the Commune” (the revolutionary government of Paris in 1871). This created several years of controversy between different political and religious parties and movements. Today, the church is rather (or also?) considered to be dedicated to the 58.000 victims of the Franco-Prussian war 1870-71. Mainly financed by support from parishes throughout France, it took a few decades before it was finished, from the foundation stone in 1875 to the completion in 1914 – during WWI. It was officially dedicated only after the war, in 1919.


We should know that the surprising architecture is due to Paul Abadie, who died well before the completion of the building.

So, no photos from the inside here, but a selection of photos taken from different places in Paris under different skies. Thanks to its place on the top of Montmartre, the basilica is visible from almost everywhere.







12 comments:

Virginia said...

Well as oxygen deprived as I was, I know that you and I, along with Maya and Janet trekked up the one zillion steps to the dome in July 2009! I am sure if you dig, you will find the photos we all made to prove we had done it. As you know, it was my second trip up but I can assure you that it was the last.

I love your idea of showing the views from around the city. And off the record, in 2014, when we went with you, I took photos inside the basilica ! It wasn't till we were leaving that I saw the NO PHOTOS sign. I whispered a prayer asking forgiveness. :)
V

Mystica said...

One day soon and your blog certainly makes me feel it has to be sooner rather than later! Thank you for the beautiful photos and the potted history. I like the reason originally for building the church as if......it was going to be so easy to forgive and forget.
Vagaries of religion anyway.

Kate said...

It is a remarkable structure and deserves the kind of exposure you have given it in your photos. I have just read a book that you might find intereting: The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs, Elaine Sciolino.

martinealison said...

Bonjour cher Peter,

Ravie de découvrir l'ensemble de tes superbes photos.
Un bel hommage à cette basilique.

Gros bisous ♡

claude said...

En fait on le voit de partout. Une belle publication qui devrait plaire à Catherine. Je repassera parce que c'est trop beau.

Jeanie said...

I can't tell you how much I love the scope of this post, Peter! You've definitely made it around! Fun to see it from all parts of the city and I'm kicking myself that I didn't take more similar photos when I was there, because I certainly noticed it from a number of vantage points, like a giant wedding cake on a hill. It's as fascinating to see the different views of Paris as it is Sacre Coeur.

And it is such a treat to photograph! I do wish it was allowed inside (I daresay someone managed it surreptitiously, although the guards are probably pretty expert at picking out cameras!). It is a lovely spot.

Anonymous said...

Sacre Coeur-from the outside only...
Love the title of this post! Can I add: From a distance only? At least, for me, the best consolation...

Treasured in my heart and soul is that early Fall evening, in my youth when I made the trek up its hill. Pure magic it was! The church glistening in the dusk, people of all nationalities around it.
On the famous staircases, university students serenading passersby with international songs. A most delicious rendition of Funiculi Funicula among them...

Thank you so much, Monsieur Peter for this beautiful post. Your photos are superb!
Maria O. Russell

Anonymous said...

Love that photo with the statue of Thomas Jefferson!
For a man that was obsessed with rotundas...how fitting...
Here he is facing one and giving his back to another?

Loved this! Thanks.
Maria O. Russell

Harriet said...

Great post. For the first time, I am appreciating the bell tower/ campanile, due to your wonderful photos.

Mar Blake said...

I loved your post. I live nearly across from the funicular "en bas". I call it the hill or sometimes My Hill because I go up every day with my crazy bergier austrailian. She likes it up there. The tourist adore her and she gets praised in every language and petted a lot.
I love seeing the dome from other points in Paris and especially when arriving by train from the north.
There are some people that go to church to pray or worship and with so many toutists the cameras are a distraction. Do you agree?
Universally the French say they hate it referring to the architecture.
It's said often that moving The Commune from its stronghold was the motive, but I think historically there are places in Montmartre that are sacred grounds. There is a garden in the back of Sacre Coeur across from the convent. Have you visited it.

Dianne said...

An iconic Parisian landmark Peter and I like the way you have shown us views taken from different areas.
It's like the Eiffel Tower - glimpsed from laneways - buildings and almost everywhere.
What a pity No photo's inside !!

Stephanie A. Mann said...

Since the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist sacred to Catholics as the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity and Real Presence of Jesus Christ (lots of Capital letters!) is exposed for adoration in the monstrance above the high altar, photographs inside the basilica are forbidden. That, more than the dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is the reason for the prohibition. It's not a tourist site, really, it's a place of adoration, praise, worship, and adoration.